The American Federation for Children

The American Federation for Children is a committee of mostly right-wing groups who want to advance the privatization of public schools and the expansion of voucher programs and charter schools.

Mission
The website states the following:

"The American Federation for Children (AFC) seeks the fundamental transformation of public education through parental choice. We believe public education must be defined as providing families, particularly low-income families, with the public funding they need to choose the education they determine is best for their children. The American Federation for Children envisions a vibrant and successful American education system where achievement is high and where low-income children are provided with the opportunity to attend the finest schools possible, whether these schools are excellent public schools, public charter schools, or private schools."

What We Do

"We assist our state-level partners in recruiting and mobilizing individual supporters to take action in support of specific school choice proposals that provide low-income and middle class children with access to the best schools available. We advocate at the grassroots, grass tops, and directly to legislators in favor of a wide range of school choice initiatives. We also fight against bills and regulatory changes that would hurt existing school choice programs."

History and Operations

"The American Federation for Children was launched in January 2010, when America’s leading private school choice organizations worked together to create a lasting and sustainable structure for the advancement of school choice through the creation of the Federation. This organization traces its roots to the founders of the modern school choice movement, most notably the late John T. Walton, a visionary philanthropist and education reformer. Led by national education reform pioneer Betsy DeVos, the American Federation for Children works at the national, state, and local levels to advance our mission. Our staff is located across the United States, with regional offices in several locations."

Model Legislation and Lobbying
AFC works alongside the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) to draft and support model legislation promoting "school choice" and tax reform for schools. ALEC is a right-wing group with legislators and corporations working together to draft bills with "Jeffersonian principles." Regarding education, both ALEC and AFC want to expand funding for charter schools while defunding public schools.

You can see the model legislation HERE.

Controversy
http://www.wisdc.org/afc2010.html

http://www.wisdc.org/index.php?rw=ind10-1100001.php&CTGTZO=-480&CTGTZL=-480

http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2010/oct/28/american-federation-children/group-says-state-senate-candidate-monk-elmer-voted/

http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2010/sep/13/american-federation-children/wisconsin-state-sen-jeff-plale-saved-300-jobs-bucy/

Leadership
The leadership for 2011 can be found here.

Board of Directors Betsy DeVos - Chairman John F. Kirtley - Vice Chairman The Hon. Kevin P. Chavous Boykin Curry Joel Greenberg Carrie Penner

Staff & Advisors Executive Team Greg Brock, Executive Director John Schilling, Chief Operating Officer Brenda Hondorp, Executive Assistant The Hon. Kevin P. Chavous, Senior Advisor

Government Affairs Team Jonathan Nikkila, Director Scott Jensen, Senior Advisor Sean Bradley, Political Director Whitney Rhoades, Policy Director Adam Rogalski, Associate Political Director Clay Madden, Government Affairs Associate (Louisiana) Lauren Perry, Policy Analyst Denise Lasher, Government Affairs Advisor (Florida) David Morgan, Government Affairs Associate (Georgia) Jamie Self, Government Affairs Advisor (Georgia) Brian Pleva, Government Affairs Associate (Wisconsin)

Development Team Zack Dawes, National Development Director Cheryl Hillen, Development Advisor Liz Dreckman, Development Manager Jana Gregg, Development Assistant

Communications Team Andrew Campanella, Nat'l Director of Communications Malcom Glenn, Communications Coordinator Michelle Gininger, Communications Assistant

Finance and Administration Jennifer Miller, Chief Financial Officer Benita Gardner, Senior Accountant